Beyond the Streets is an exhibition that showcases the work of street artists from around the world in a Contemporary setting. The exhibition features a diverse range of art forms, from large-scale murals to graffiti, installations, and sculptures. The exhibition began in Los Angeles in 2018 and has since travelled to other cities, including New York and from February 2023 to May 2023 housed at Saatchi Gallery in London. Being the most comprehensive graffiti & street art exhibition to open in the UK. Curated by graffiti historian Roger Gastman this landmark exhibition marks the cultural significance of the contemporary art world giving street art and graffiti the registration it deserves as an art movement. Created to celebrate the growth of this art form featuring artists :
10FOOT, AIKO, Alicia McCarthy, André Saraiva, BÄST, Beastie Boys, Beezer, Bert Krak, BLADE, BLONDIE, Bob Gruen, Brassaï, Broken Fingaz, C. R. Stecyk III, CES, Charlie Ahearn, Chaz Bojórquez, Chris FREEDOM Pape, Christopher Stead, Conor Harrington, CORNBREAD, Craig Costello, CRASH, DABSMYLA, Dash Snow, DAZE, DELTA, DONDI, Duncan Weston, Dr. REVOLT, Eric HAZE, Escif, Estevan Oriol, Fab 5 Freddy, FAILE, Felipe Pantone, FUME, FUTURA2000, Glen E. Friedman, GOLDIE, Gordon Matta-Clark, Gregory Rick, Guerrilla Girls, Gus Coral, Henry Chalfant, HuskMitNavn, IMON BOY, Jaimie D’Cruz, Jamie Reid, Janette Beckman, Jason REVOK, Jenny Holzer, Joe Conzo, John Ahearn & Rigoberto Torres, José Parlá, KATSU, KAWS, KC ORTIZ, Keith Haring, Kenny Scharf, KING MOB, LADY PINK, Lawrence Watson, Lisa Kahane, Malcolm McLaren, Maripol, Martin Jones, Martha Cooper, Maya Hayuk, Michael Holman, Michael Lawrence, Mister CARTOON, MODE 2, Ozzie Juarez, Pablo Allison, Pat Phillips, Paul Insect, POSE, PRIDE, PRIEST, Richard Colman, RISK, Robert 3D Del Naja, Roger Perry, Shepard Fairey, SHOE, Sophie Bramly, STASH, Stephen ESPO Powers, Stickymonger, SWOON, TAKI 183, Toby Mott, TOX, Tim Conlon, Timothy Curtis, Tish Murtha, Todd James, VHILS , ZEPHYR
All names which had significant roles to play in the growth of street art. Growing organically from the youth of New York ghettos painting graffiti on subway cars in the 1970s in New York to social activism and the global domination of the art market. Through these artists street art has become of the largest global movements in visual arts in the past century. One which now the contemporary art world has had to catch up to. Beyond the Streets pays homage to the monumental moments from the world of graffiti and street art, as well as the artists who immortalised them.
With Saatchi Gallery making this exhibition possible it only opens the door up to more exhibitions of the same nature in the future. Which I find exciting as this culture is only going to grow and shows no signs of stopping linked with the growth of street art Festivals not just in the Uk but globally it becomes more of a practical reality to be a practising street artist on the streets and also co-exist within a contemporary art setting with acceptance to this art forms becoming more common.
The importance of an exhibition to be hosted in Saatchi Gallery is not to be dismissed as Graffiti writers such as 10FOOT who is significant in London graffiti culture. Convicted for committing over £100,000 worth of criminal damage would never be given the opportunity to exhibit in such a prestigious contemporary setting without exhibitions like this. Conveying there is more to graffiti than just vandalism and criminal damage.
It’s important that an exhibition like this celebrates the creativity and diversity of the street art movement to help it move away from the conservative judgement of mindless vandalism. It provides a platform for artists to gain acknowledgement outside of the culture it comes from, to broaden and engage audiences in a dialogue about the role of street art in contemporary culture.
